Bejarano to be named Chula Vista police chief

CHULA VISTA – Former San Diego Police Chief David Bejarano will be Chula Vista's new chief of police, city officials announced Tuesday night.

Bejarano, who suspended his candidacy for county sheriff, was one of four finalists for the chief's position. The City Council voted 4-0 to ratify the selection made by City Manager Jim Sandoval.

Bejarano said he is thrilled to be back in a chief of police position and is particularly proud to serve the community where he has resided for almost 30 years.

“It's a great department and a great city,” he said. “Ever since I left the chief's office in San Diego, I missed it.”

Bejarano is planning a news conference at 2 p.m. Wednesday at City Hall, where he is expected to announce that he is quitting the sheriff's race and accepting the job as Chula Vista's police chief.

Chula Vista announced a nationwide search to replace former Chief Rick Emerson when he retired in May. Emerson planned to stay on until a new chief was hired, but left abruptly last month when Sandoval asked him to rescind the promotions of nine police officers because he said Emerson made them without his authorization.

Sandoval said he made it clear he wanted the new chief to make any promotions. Two of the rescinded promotions were later reversed because they had already taken effect.

Bejarano said he will address the promotion issue within 30 days.

Forty-five people applied for the police chief position. Two community panels interviewed 12, and four made it to the finalist interview round with the city manager last week.

Bejarano, 52, has spent the last few months campaigning for county sheriff. He raised $100,402 for that race, far more than any of the other candidates. The Chula Vista position didn't become open until after he declared his candidacy for sheriff.

“I simply could not ignore this opportunity at this state of my law enforcement career,” Bejarano said. “My family and I are humbled and grateful for the early support received for the sheriff's campaign and we sincerely appreciate all those who supported my candidacy. I've asked our treasurer to close our campaign committee and arrange to have the balance refunded to contributors.”

Bejarano, who is also a school board trustee in Chula Vista, is a public safety veteran. He served 24 years with the San Diego Police Department, ending his career there as the city's first Latino chief, a position he held from 1999 to 2003.

He left the department to become U.S. marshal for San Diego and Imperial counties, holding that position just under two years.

Councilman Rudy Ramirez said he has high expectations of Bejarano.

“I'm looking forward to a new era of law enforcement in Chula Vista,” Ramirez said. “Chief Emerson took us to an important level and I expect the new chief will help us achieve other great milestones.”

Bejarano will oversee a staff of 346 employees and manage a $50 million budget.